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Indianapolis Facts
City Center Population: 783,612.
Metropolitan Area Population: 1,632,453.
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time. Daylight Saving Time is not observed.
Local Seasons: Summer can be a little hot and sticky in Indianapolis. It can get up into the 90s with humidity in the 55%-80% range, but the average summer temperatures run 60-85 F. Optimal times to visit are May-June and September-October, when the climate is at its mildest, although the weather can be unpredictable. Expect daytime highs of 73-83 F in spring and 66-77 F in the fall. A sweater or light jacket will protect against cool evenings--mid 40s to mid 50s. There's no distinct rainy season, so there should be lots of sunshine mixed with rain. There is some snow from November-March, with yearly totals running from 6 in. - 44 in.
National Holidays:
New Year's Day Jan. 1
Martin Luther King, Jr., Day 3rd Mon. in Jan.
President's Day 3rd Mon. in Feb.
Memorial Day last Mon. in May
Independence Day July 4
Labor Day 1st Mon. in Sept.
Thanksgiving Day 4th Thurs. in Nov.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dec. 24 and 25
New Year's Eve Dec. 31
Internet Access
Free computer usage is available at most branches of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library. Check locally. Most copy shops, such as Kinko's, offer Internet access for an hourly fee.
Mail and Package Services
Post Office
The main U.S. Post Office is downtown. There are branches in nearly every neighborhood. Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm. 125 W. South St., Indianapolis. Phone 317-464-6000.
Newspapers and Magazines
Indianapolis' daily newspaper is The Indianapolis Star. Check the paper's Friday or Sunday edition to find out about local happenings. Weekly publications include The Indianapolis Business Journal and The Indianapolis Recorder, founded in 1895 to serve the city's African-American community. Nuvo is the city's free alternative weekly and is published every Thursday. It features extensive calendar listings.
Transportation
Indianapolis has a walkable downtown, but if you want to go anywhere beyond the heart of the city, it's best to rent a car: Bus service is limited, and taxis are available on call, but do not cruise the streets. Broad Ripple Village is also best explored on foot. Metered parking on the street is free on weekends, but during major events, it may be difficult to find a spot.
Air
Regional, domestic and international airlines serve Indianapolis International Airport (IND), which is 7 mi/11 km southwest of downtown.
Connecting Transportation
Best way:
Some hotels provide shuttle service from the airport, but if yours does not, you can catch Carey Indiana, a shuttle serving all downtown hotels. Phone 317-241-7100 to arrange for pickup.
Other options:
City buses also run hourly from the airport, and limousine and taxi services are available. Major rental car agencies maintain offices at the airport.
Bus
Greyhound
Offers bus service to towns in Indiana and points outside the state. The main bus terminal is within walking distance of several downtown hotels. 350 S. Illinois St., Union Station, Indianapolis. Phone 317-267-3074.
Car
Several major interstate highways fan out from Indianapolis: I-65 runs northwest toward Chicago and south to Louisville, I-74 runs west toward Illinois and southeast toward Ohio, I-70 runs west toward Terre Haute and east to Ohio, and I-69 begins in Indianapolis and heads northeast to Michigan. All of these highways connect to I-465, which circles the city. I-70 and I-65 converge in downtown, creating the city's infamous "Spaghetti Bowl." Despite ubiquitous construction, Indianapolis doesn't experience bumper-to-bumper traffic, except during rush hour and in the Castleton and Carmel suburban areas.
Note that a portion of I-70 just west of I-465 and adjacent to the airport is in the process of being relocated to allow for construction of a new terminal. Until the roadwork is finished, watch out for lane shifts and short road closures during the night.
Public Transportation
Bus (IndyGo)
Indianapolis' only public transportation is the bus. Bus stops are identified by a bus symbol on a kelly-green street sign. A dollar bill or correct change is needed. Phone 317-635-3344.
Taxi
Taxis are plentiful at the airport and major hotels, but you have to reserve a cab by phone if you want to take a ride from anywhere else. If you're taking a taxi anywhere other than downtown, make sure either you or your driver knows how to get there.
Train
Amtrak
Provides train service to the city on its Chicago-Washington, D.C., line. Trains arrive and depart from Union Station. 350 S. Illinois St., Indianapolis. Phone 317-263-0550.
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